Contributed photo/Lori Prosser
SPECATCULAR SHOW — Nothing says Fourth of July like fireworks and this year’s display was impressive. This contributed photo shows fireworks exploding behind the midway.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Weather could not have cooperated any more than it did for the July 4th week, with sunny skies, a slight breeze and of course, a huge turnout for Midnight Madness and the Houlton State Agricultural Fair.
It was a beautiful night for Midnight Madness and Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce director Jane Torres couldn’t have planned it any better.
“There was an extraordinary turnout for the day’s events,” she said. “Starting with the 195th Army Brass Quintet and ending at 11:45 p.m. with Wally and the Virginians playing their last song of the event. It couldn’t have been more exciting.”
The Houlton Police Department estimated about 5,000 people took in the sales, fireworks and activities of Midnight Madness.
“There were no real issues to report,” said Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin.
Torres extended her thanks to all of the sponsors, the volunteers, and of course, everyone who came out to make the event so fun.
“Especially, the weatherman for giving us a perfect evening of 80 degree temperatures,” Torres added.
Then, the Houlton State Agricultural Fair took center stage for the next five days, starting with the Houlton July 4th parade.
Leigh Cummings, fair board member, handed in the list of parade winners, Houlton Farms Dairy, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, won the Best Commercial entry, while the Marine Corp Reserve took the Best Non-Commercial entry. The Best Walking entry went to Cameron Clark, riding his unicycle; Best Agricultural went to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum and the Chairman’s Choice belonged to Anah Indy Cars.
Right after the parade, the Houlton State Agricultural Fair opened.
“We had a hot four days, a beautiful four days,” said Paul Cleary, president of the Houlton State Agricultural Fair. “Attendance was up for three days and on Sunday, I think the heat got to people and attendance leveled off.”
An estimated 10,000 people came through the gates, including those with free admission, contestants and volunteers.
“The attendance was up from last year,” said Cleary, “but, down from other past years. We were on pace to have a good fair until Sunday.”
Through the four days, state fair evaluators came to review the Houlton State Agricultural Fair.
“Houlton puts on a show,” said Cleary. “It is one of the best small fairs in the state of Maine. A lot of people talk about our fair and all the activities we have. Look at the schedule, for a small fair, we put on more activities than big fairs in the state.”
As far as the state fair board members, Houlton does it right.
“To be a licensed state fair, there are guidelines to follow,” explained Cleary. “They evaluate how well we follow those guidelines. They were really pleased.”
The Houlton State Agricultural Fair is known for its fireworks and this year was no different. They were spectacular, as they burst high into the air, and just as glittering were the lower to the ground displays.
During the Houlton State Agricultural Fair, many youth games were held and the winners of the July 4th activities are listed below:
Softball Toss — 1, Grace Graham; 2, Joel Carmichael; and 3, Isaac Schools.
Egg Toss — 1, Bethany Callnan and son, Cameron Callnan; and 2, Colby Callnan and Tyler Bailey.
Soccer Kick — 1, Amelia Callnan; 2, Melanie Mulholland; and 3, Kelly McLaughlin.
Salsa Chugging — 1, Clint Michaud.
Lemonade Chugging — 1, Jacob Rocheleau.
Kid’s Day is always popular at the Houlton State Agricultural Fair and this year’s activity winners were:
Ice Cream Eating (under 10) — 1, Rachel Fitzgibbons.
Ice Cream Eating (over 10) — 1, Isaac Jurson.
Hula Hoop (under 10) — 1, Hannah Cibic.
Hula Hoop (over 10) — 1, Kelsey Sewell.
Bubble Gum Blowing (ages 8-10) — 1, Madalyn Quirk.
Bubble Gum Blowing (ages 11-12) — 1, Parker Brewer.
Bubble Gum Blowing (ages 13 and older) — 1, LaDericka Sewell.
Kiddie Tractor Pulls (under 45 pounds) — 1, Amelia Callnan.
Kiddie Tractor Pulls (45 to 60 pounds) — 1, Landon Botting.
Kiddie Tractor Pulls (60 to 75 pounds) — 1, Jacob Noonan.
Pie Eating — 1, Cole Winslow.
Egg Toss — 1, Bethany Callnan and Cameron Callnan (defend their title from the day before); and 2, Jordan Merritt and Ben Tuttle.
Winners of Saturday, July 6, events were:
Moxie Chugging — 1, Tim Jackson.
Egg Toss — 1, Cameron Stevens and Owen Gallop; 2, Cameron Cleary and Jordan Merritt.
On Sunday, July 7, the winners of the activities were:
Skillet Throw (Ladies) — 1, Rebecca Nelson; and 2, Caroline Puckett.
Skillet Throw (Men) — 1, Dustin Bell; and 2, Austin Carll.
Egg Toss — 1, Dustin Bell and Marti Raye Nelson; and 2, A.J. Henderson and Seth Rand.
Three-Legged Hackey Sack — 1, Caroline Puckett and Jake Anderson; and 2, Kyle Brown and Gage Bartlett.
